Conference General Info

Pre-Registration is now closed.

Please register at the door.

Little Patriots

The THURSDAY sessions are FREE and open to the public. Beginning at 2pm, April 30, the four sessions include: "What is Home Schooling", "The Law", "Getting Started", and "Choosing Curriculum". There is no shopping on Thursday.

Dates: April 30, May 1, 2, 2009

Location: Georgia International Convention Center (1 mile west of the Atlanta Airport on Camp Creek Parkway. Go to www.GICC.com for directions and a map.

Hotel Reservations: To make on-line hotel reservations at the Atlanta Westin Airport Hotel at the special conference rate - go to Hotel Reservation. Our $85 rate is guaranteed until April 11, 2009. Parking and Internet access is free.

Stand With US as we promote and support homeschooling in Georgia. When GHEA was founded, it was with the hope that a statewide support group would continue to promote and support homeschooling in Georgia. Committed to following the Word of God, GHEA set out to bring the home school community together for one purpose; the right to teach our children what we deem fit and proper. It hasn’t been without obstacles, but with state and national home schooling families and leaders teaming up with GHEA, we have been able to stand. GHEA, under the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, has become one of the strongest voices for homeschooling in Georgia. You are the reason we exist. Only through God do we find favor with state and local officials, but declaring to them that we represent a significant number of homeschooling voting citizens helps us to get their attention! Your membership in GHEA symbolizes the unity that we represent, and there is strength in that unity. If you are a member, encourage your home schooling friends to join. If you are not already a member, now is the best time to become one. The hours are long and sometimes never seem to end, but the rewards for homeschooling will be reaped in due time, if we faint not. We hope you will consider joining us as God writes the next chapter in our amazing story!

What Are the Benefits When you join GHEA you are eligible for the following benefits (certainly worth $25, about $2 per month):

· $5 discount on full conference registration

· $15 discount on HSLDA membership

· $65 discount off the $120 price of the Complete Guide to Financing College and College Admissions

(an 8 CD package) saving you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars

· A discount at the GHEA online bookstore GPA SmartStore

· Discounts on Dell Computer products

· Discounted subscriptions to Homeschooling Today and Home School Digest

· Discounts at Borders and Waldenbooks

· Discounted group rates on auto, home, and renters insurance

Remember in typing class "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country?" NOW IS THE TIME! Your membership in GHEA is critical. GHEA is your advocate. We want to continue to provide you with an annual Christian home school conference, an opportunity to honor your graduate, an excellent state-wide newsletter, and an informative website. Additionally, we work diligently with the state legislature to protect your rights to direct the education of your children. We introduce legislation on your behalf (i.e. Removing the college requirement for tutors and securing jury duty relief for home school teachers). But, the future of this organization depends on INCREASED MEMBERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERS! Please give today. "Let our words become deeds to meet needs."

You can join on line at www.ghea.org or mail your name, address, email, and phone to GHEA, 258 Sandy Lake Cir., Fayetteville, GA 30214. 770-461-3657

Children This conference is intended for parent/teacher and student enrichment. Teens 15 years and up may volunteer to help with the Little Patriots Seminar (go to www.ghea.org for an application form). Child care arrangements are encouraged for children ages 1-12 except for those enrolled in the LITTLE PATRIOTS. Children attending the conference who are not enrolled in Little Patriots must be with their parents at all times. Nursing babies will be admitted free, but remember that sessions are being recorded. Sit near an exit, and please step out if your baby makes any noise. Shoes with wheels are not permitted in the convention center.

Thursday is free (except for the $5 weekend parking permit) and open to the public and is designed for new homeschoolers. The doors will open at 1pm, the sessions start at 2pm and end at 7pm with a tour of the Exhibit Hall. There is no shopping on Thursday.

Times On Friday the doors will open for registration at 8:00am. Shopping will open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm Friday evening. Vendor workshops will begin at 10:00am. The Friday evening program will begin at 6:00pm. The Used Book Sale will be open from 10am until 2pm on Friday. See "Used Book Sale" for details. On Saturday, the doors open at 8:30am and sessions will start at 9:00am. The Exhibit Hall will open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm.

Little Patriots Children’s program begins Friday evening and continues all day Saturday. Little Patriots should check in as soon as you arrive at the conference center. Drop off begins at 5pm on Friday and ends when the adult evening program is over. Drop off on Saturday begins at 8:30am and pickup is at 4:30pm after the Little Patriot presentation.

We are excited about what is planned for this year’s conference.All children ages 6-12 are invited to join us as we learn about how we are God’s masterpiece and how to live a purpose-driven life. Your children will have a great time learning how God has made them each individually and uniquely with His purpose in mind. We accomplish this through fun songs, crafts, powerful object lessons, amazing history stories, and memorable skits. The staff of Little Patriots 2009 whole-heartedly invites you to attend this exciting conference. Please complete the Little Patriots registration form and RESERVE YOUR SPOT. Space is limited. Siblings are normally placed together on the same team unless otherwise requested. Also, if you are interested in volunteering to assist in Little Patriots 2009 and you’re 15 or older, please go to www.GHEA.org and download the application for Little Patriot workers, fill out the application and mail to the address printed at the bottom. Teacher training is scheduled for March 21st. Our volunteers are great and vital to this ministry, and we have a blast every year! We are really excited about what God has planned and can’t wait to meet the children He desires to bless! We really hope to see YOU this May for Little Patriots 2009!

.Exhibit Hall & Used Book Sale Only Professional educators know the importance of recurrent training along with receiving encouragement. Homeschool teachers are no different, and we encourage you to take advantage of this training opportunity. However, if you cannot attend the conference but would like to shop only (exhibit hall & used book sale), you may do so for $10 per adult & $5 per child. The Exhibit Hall will be open to the public at no charge after 3pm on Saturday. If you register for the full conference, the Exhibit Hall and Used Book Sale are included. If you plan to attend the Used Book Sale only, you may do so for $5 per adult or child.

Volunteers have been an invaluable help each year. If you would be willing to serve for a three hour period on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, we could use your help. We need help with the following responsibilities: Used book sale, book check room, greeters, ushers, site setup, tear-down and clean up. To be considered as a volunteer, please check the volunteer box when you register. If you would like to volunteer for the Used Book Sale contact the Toussaints at usedbooksale@ghea.org or 770-487-3635.

Honoring the Graduates Finishing high school is an accomplishment that is worthy of celebration, and GHEA will once again host an Honoring the Graduates program for the class of 2009. If you are interested in being a part of this "Pomp and Circumstance," please send a request for a complete information packet to graduation@ghea.org. If you do not have access to email, leave a message at (770) 461-3657. All packages must be completed and mailed by April 8. This deadline is imperative for making sure that your graduate’s testimony is published and the diploma is correct. The program begins Saturday at 1:30pm.

Book Check GHEA will provide a book check area again this year. No need to haul all your materials around with you all day, just bring them to the book check area for safe keeping.

Refunds If you are unable to attend the conference and desire a refund, GHEA must receive your request and name tag (if you have received one) postmarked no later than April 30, 2009. You will then be refunded your full registration fee less a $3 handling charge per family. No refunds will be made at the conference.

Meals Food will be available from the Conference Center, from nearby restaurants, or bring your own for a tailgate picnic. No food may be brought into the building. See map in the conference brochure.

Parking Convention center parking is $5 (cash) for the entire weekend (Thur. thru Sat.). Parking spaces are limited.

Recommended Hotel The Weston Atlanta Airport is our primary hotel for the conference. They have given us an outstanding rate of $85 + Free Parking. 4736 Best Rd. College Park, GA 30337, (404) 762-7676. See map page 9 for additional hotels. To make reservations on line - go to Hotel Reservation.

2009 GHEA Used Book Sale

This year the used book sale will take place on May 1 from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. in Hall C

Sellers: If you are interested in selling your used books you must have a seller number. To obtain a seller number you must register with Melanie McBride (Melanie@jmxservices.com or 770-460-7314 if you do not use email) no later than April 17, 2009. Also, the number of sellers will again be limited to 350. After 350 sellers have registered no more numbers will be assigned regardless of date.

All books must be labeled with 1. Seller’s number, 2. Item number, 3. Price, 4. Title of book, and 5. Category. These labels must be attached to the book with clear tape. If a book is missing a label, it will not be sold-no exceptions.

You may drop off your used books on Thursday April 30, between 3pm and 6pm or on Friday May 1 from 7am to 9am through the loading dock of Hall C of the Convention Center. No more than 5 books per seller will be accepted after 8:30am on Friday.

Unsold books must be picked up on Friday evening before 8pm. Sellers will be charged a $20 disposal fee for books left after 8pm and the uncollected books will be discarded. Sellers may pick up their money on Saturday morning between 8:30am and 10:30am. All money not picked up will be mailed to the seller. All sellers will be charged a 10% fee on all sales.

Buyers: Conference registrants will be assigned buyer numbers in the order in which they register. Registration for the used book sale only is $5 per adult or child. Sellers who wish to shop must register separately as a buyer. Limited numbers of buyers will be allowed into the room in timed intervals based on your buyer number. In order to speed check-out, buyers should have the books they wish to purchase in order by letter and number before approaching the cashiers. Only two-wheeled, upright, airline-style carts will be permitted in the hall. No other style will be permitted. If you have questions about your carrying case, please contact the Toussaints (see contact information below) to verify. A book checking area will again be available in Spanish Suite 3.

We need volunteers for the GHEA used book sale!

Ancient Polish proverb: "If it were not for the hands, the clock would be useless."

We need numerous volunteers who are willing to work in all positions. Volunteers will not be paid, reimbursed, etc., but are asked to help purely as a ministry to other homeschoolers. If you would be willing to work with us, please consider donating 3 or more hours of your time on Friday, May 1, between 8:45am until approximately 7pm. Responsible young adults are also encouraged to volunteer. Parents may keep their younger children with them while they are working their shift so consider volunteering as a family. If this sounds like something that you are able to do (or if you have questions), please contact the Toussaints as soon as possible.

Email: usedbooksale@ghea.org Phone: (770) 487-3635